Rabbitte ups the ante on the campaign trial

Fianna Fáil General Election candidate for Galway East Cllr. Anne Rabbitte has been hearing from local businesses and farmers in Loughrea as she intensified her campaign in the run up to the General Election. She was joined by two former Galway East political stalwarts Joe Callanan and Michael Kitt, who was back out canvassing only one day after retiring.

Cllr. Rabbitte commented, “I have been overwhelmed by the amount of support for my campaign here in Loughrea. People here have been badly let down by this Government and there is a real hunger for change. I met with local business owners who have been crippled by rising rents and rates and who feel abandoned by Fine Gael and Labour. These businesses feel as if they have been forgotten by this Government, which has done nothing to improve supports for self employed people.

“Likewise homeowners are disillusioned with the lack of progress on the mortgage arrears issue. This Government made a raft of promises before the last election but unfortunately they have been forgotten. The social housing list numbers have rocketed – with more than 3,400 waiting for a home in Co. Galway in 2015 – an increase of 80% in a two year period.

“I chatted with farmers at Loughrea Mart who want to see a greater focus on primary producers. Minister Simon Coveney has allowed beef processors and the large retailers dictate the market, which has resulted in lower prices for the average farmer. Many have been badly affected by the latest flooding, which the Government has forgotten about, now that its out of the national headlines. This is simply not good enough.

“Fianna Fáil’s message of fairness and equality is really resonating with people here in Galway. I along with my party want to see better public services, more Gardai on the streets, a health service we have faith in. We want an Ireland for all”.